I've Been Chased By A Bat!!

Our routine every weekday morning was to eat breakfast, clean the kitchen, and start our homeschool day.  This day was no different than any other.  We had all just sat down at the kitchen table for our history lesson.  Chris looked out the window and said, “Star has something in his mouth!”  Sure enough Star, our short-haired black cat, was walking toward the house with something brown in his mouth.  We went outside to see.  Star had dropped the animal on the ground.  I immediately saw that it was a bat.  I was surprised.  I had expected a bird. 

At the time I recalled that a naturalist at Bennett Springs State Park told us that bats can carry rabies and it is best not to handle them.  Stephanie ran to get me something to put over the top of the bat.  We did this to keep Star from grabbing the bat again. Scooping his cat up into his arms, Chris (and Hannah) ran into the house.  They were observing Stephanie and I outside the big picture window.

I put a plastic egg crate over the bat.  And as I looked at it I noticed that there were three bats all rolled up together; a baby bat, an adolescent bat, and the mother were attached together.  At that moment the mother bat carrying her babies escaped from under the egg crate and flew right at me!  Escaping was my only option.  I ran a short distance and I turned around to see the direction in which the bat would fly.  I was thinking the bat would just fly off somewhere.  But No!  I gasped, the bat was chasing me!  I began running in a circle.  I screamed help when I saw the bat’s teeth imagining them trying to bite me.

I sprinted in a circle several times.  Looking behind me many times and still seeing the bat’s teeth.  I hollered, “Open the back door!”  No one did.  Stephanie was jumping up and down on the back porch, while Chris and Hannah watched out the window.  I thought I am going to have to do this all by myself!  I opened the door and jumped inside and fell on the floor banging my legs up.  Stephanie was still outside jumping up and down in excitement.  However the bat did not chase her.  The bat flew over into a nearby tree and rested hanging upside down!

Later that week we visited with the naturalist at Bennett Springs State Park.  I informed her that bats do chase people.  She insisted no they do not.  She pointed out that the bat was traumatized by being carried in the mouth of a cat.  Okay I can try to empathize.  Even though I rescued the bat from the cat by placing the egg crate over him, the bat felt trapped again.  However, when the bat did gain freedom again, it was just trying to get oriented.  In most instances I believe bats do not chase people.  However, I think this was the exception. 

Christopher, The Cowboy: A Shoot Out In Consumers!!

Our son, Christopher, became quite the little cowboy beginning at age 2 and ending around age 10.  Grandparents, parents, and friends encouraged him in this area of his life.  Several individuals taught him all about cowboys using movies, books, coloring books, and clothing.

Christopher spent a couple of days with his Papa and Meme.  Just like most grandparents they loved spoiling him and giving him everything his little heart desired.  On a particular occasion Chris came home with a pair of cowboy boots purchased by his Papa and Meme, of course.  Chris, being a chunky boy, barely could put his fat little legs in the boots.  He was asleep in the car seat when I picked him up.  As Chris awoke he said, “Got boots!  See?”  He strutted around the house just like a real cowboy in those boots.  

It was at that time he was introduced to old western movies such as John Wayne and Paladin.  Chris decided he needed a cowboy hat and a gun and holster just like cowboys in the movies.  Being adorned with boots, hat, and gun and holster was important to Chris.  Every time we entered the public library, visited friends, shopped for groceries, clothing, etc… the boots, hat, and gun and holster were worn.  He never took them off unless he was getting ready for bed.  And then the gun was thrust under his pillow.  One never knew when a bandit would ride up.  He was going to protect his family!

Chris and I went grocery shopping at Consumers in Lebanon one afternoon.  Lee Frank, the assistant manager, laughed and raised his arms in the air and said, “Don’t shoot!”  Did Chris pay any attention?  Absolutely not!  He took the cowboy stance and drew his gun and fired!”  Lee grabbed his chest and said got me!  We all laughed!!

Steve and I are blessed to have several pictures.  A family picture and a 2 year old baby picture with Chris riding a rocking horse with Chris in his diaper and wearing a light blue bandana, boots, and gun and holster.  It is my favorite baby picture of Chris.

To Spray Or Not To Spray??

As my husband, Steve, and I treated our beautiful daughter, Stephanie, and her boyfriend, Jeff, to a delicious meal at The Olive Garden, we caught up on the events in our lives.  While feasting on Italian salads, bread sticks, fettuccine alfredo, lasagna, and shrimp fettuccine, I asked our daughter, “How is GH?”  Laughing she shared this story.

The background being Jeff rescued a cat from the Joplin Humane Society and this active cat is a resident in Stephanie’s apartment in Springfield.  GH, a beautiful exotic looking cat with ossi spots, a long tail and legs, and a Siamese shaped face, has loved to play with toys and with anyone who would pay attention to him.  The whole family has enjoyed him.  Well, except Jeff!

Stephanie and Jeff have agreed that GH and Jeff do not like each other.  GH would smell of Jeff’s shoes, jump on him, bother his laptop, and so on.  Jeff changed his shirt and somehow it ended up on the floor.  GH spied it and immediately attacked the fairly new shirt, chewing and tearing it all to shreds!  Jeff was very frustrated with this cat now.      

Stephanie took GH to the vet for a check up and inquired about GH’s behavior.  The vet suggested that Stephanie purchase a hormone spray!  I ask, “For the cat?”  Stephanie replies, “No for Jeff!”  Laughing, Stephanie continued to say the liquid could be sprayed on Jeff when he comes for a visit and would make Jeff smell like a cat!  Steve and I looked at Jeff and said, “Great idea!! When are you going to use it?”  Jeff expressed firmly that he was NOT going to be sprayed! Stephanie, Steve, and I just laughed and laughed at the expression of Jeff’s face.  Steve said, “Well, perhaps you could just spray your toes?”  Jeff shook his head no!!!

We decided that GH is probably just jealous of Jeff and is probably just protecting Stephanie!!  We suggested that Stephanie and Jeff give more positive attention to GH while Jeff visits at her apartment.  The moral of this story could be, “Be ye kind one to another…” , as it says in Ephesians 4:32.

Dream Today!

Recently I spent the day at Silver Dollar City.  While the kids were riding all the thrill rides, I was browsing the shops and enjoying my favorite meal, spaghetti, at the Spring House Restaurant.  While sitting at a table, I read a sign.  It said, “We create our tomorrows by what we dream today.”  How many of us actually are pursuing a dream today?

As I graduated high school and college, the speakers at the graduations encouraged us to dream.  Throughout my life I pursued different goals and dreams such as becoming a good teacher, supporting my husband through pharmacy school, owning our home, and being the best wife and mother I could be.  As my children grew I just thought I would return to the work force.  It was not a dream; it was just something I knew I needed to do to help the family.  Something was happening.  I was falling into survival mode! 

One of my favorite fictional stories is “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer.”  In a particular scene Rudolph and friends were headed to the Island of Misfit Toys.  There was a very pretty doll and other toys warming themselves by the campfire.  It was getting so late that they thought Santa was not coming for them.  Someone said, “Well we might as well go to bed and start dreaming about next year!”  Suzy the doll says, “I haven’t any dreams left to dream!”  How many of us are at this point in this life?  This is what I call survival mode; we are just going through the drudgery of life or just getting by!   

I recall when my oldest daughter graduated high school, a Focus on the Family guest speaker, Todd Wilson, came to encourage the graduates.  Little did he know that he inspired me, a homeschool mom!  In his message he spoke these words of wisdom, “Do not let anyone steal your dream!”  My heart smiled as he admonished the graduates to persevere through any obstacle or hardship along their journey.  Let me ask you this.  How many individuals throughout the years have allowed the dream stealers to get them to the point of having nothing left to dream?  How many allow a failure to stop them?  How many are afraid of what people might think and allow this to stop them?  How many have developed such a closed mind set, that they fail to see opportunities God has placed before their eyes?

It says in scripture that God gives us an abundant life!  In John 10:10 it says, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  I believe this scripture and know it is true.  We live in such a negative world that it is a challenge to remember just how much God does care.  He is helping us everyday.  I just continue to hold to God’s unchanging hand.

About two years ago an opportunity presented itself to Steve and I.  I am so very grateful to God for all He has done for my family.  We are now business owners for the first time in our lives!  Our awesome business encourages me to strive for my dreams.  I began dreaming again.  Through the personal growth, I am becoming a stronger person and a better Christian.  I am becoming a person who has undaunted courage and who has the strength of character to help other people build their dreams.  My business has encouraged me to write my memoirs for my family and is helping me to give my husband time freedom to work a pharmacy job because he wants to and not because he has to. It is allowing me to leave a legacy for our children; and that is only the beginning!  You see, I am creating my tomorrows by what I am dreaming today!!

A Great Birthday

This past Monday, July 4^th, I celebrated my 54^th birthday!  Yes, over the years I have shared the same birthday as our GREAT United States of America!  And I have loved it! 

I received cards in the mail, email cards, email letters, text messages, facebook gifts, and facebook Happy Birthday Wishes!  These wishes were from high school classmates, college classmates, former students from when I taught high school, homeschool friends and children, friends from places I worked, church family, cousins, parents, my children, and my husband!  It was almost overwhelming to me when I realized just how many people remembered me on my birthday!  I felt so special!  God has certainly blessed me with many great friends and relatives!!!

I thank God for the family I grew up in and for Steve’s family, and for giving me a wonderful husband and three wonderful children.  I was showered with such gifts as money, a shirt, a necklace, a nativity scene Christmas Ornament from Peru, and a keychain that says “Number 1 Mom”!  I could not find the words to express how much I love and appreciate each family member and friend.     

I loved the fireworks on my birthday!  The blasting, whistling, popping, beautiful colors, parachutes, fountains, sparklers, and many other firework paraphernalia excited me!  At 9 years old my brother and I shot off fireworks works by ourselves for the first time! Wow!  Several years later during the summers I worked for Mid-America Fireworks in the Springfield, MO area selling fireworks.  I loved talking to the customers about each firework.  I had fun! 

Over the years we have celebrated the birth of our nation with family; we have barbequed, made homemade ice cream, ate watermelon, and shot off fireworks.  And at the same time we celebrated the birthday of my brother in law and me!  One year I nearly convinced my three young children that everyone celebrated my birthday by shooting off fire works!  They were awed for a short time, but they are smart kids and did not buy into that idea for long.  I taught them to cherish the USA, respect our American Flag, and appreciate that they live in the greatest country in the world.  And it was my goal to set an example for them in thanking our soldiers for serving our country.  They have sacrificed family time, personal time, and their lives.  The soldiers cared enough to keep America free!  God Bless the USA.

The Greatest Day Of My Life!!!

Growing up in Polk County, Missouri included many, many days playing with my younger brother, Buddy, helping on the farm, school, and going to Calvary Missionary Baptist Church.  As long as I could remember I loved going to church, and when we missed a Sunday, I was disappointed.  I especially loved learning in Sunday school.

One evening I felt a tug in my heart to go to the altar.  I did not know why?  I didn’t want to go to church anymore.  I did not know why?  I just did not like feeling bad.  The feeling initially happened during a summer revival.  It stopped or weakened some on Sundays throughout that year.

The next year Calvary Missionary Baptist Church held a revival in May of 1969.  My mother said, “Let’s go to Calvary’s revival.”  I said, “Okay”.  We went several nights and after listening to the Evangelist Austin McGinnis and Pastor Alpha Redford, I became aware of my sad condition.  I was under conviction.  You see, Jesus Christ died for me up there on the cross.  Hurting and fearful I did not want to believe it was for my sins that He suffered, and bled, and died.  I procrastinated.  My pride was getting in the way of what the Lord wanted me to do.  Foolishly, I thought God’s people would laugh at me.

I battle this all week, until one night, the church had a testimony meeting.  Hearing people share what God had done for them spoke to my heart.  At the end of the service there was a time where we all shook hands.  My feet were like lead, and my heart was so heavy and burdened that I felt I could not walk.  I was trying my best to hide what was going on in my heart.  I did not seek the Lord that night.

Driving home I thought I could die in an auto accident without the Lord.  I could not sleep; I could die in my sleep.  I made a decision that if I lived through the day I would go to the altar the next night.  I struggled all day.  I prayed.

I got dressed early and thirty minutes before time to leave some friends came.  I thought, “Oh no, Mom won’t take me to church tonight!”  Finally, the friends left and Mom said, “Let’s go.”

When we arrived at church I tried to sit on the end of the bench, but some people came in and I had to move over.  I did not know how I was going to get around them when the altar call came.  I thought the preaching would never end.

When the altar call came, my feet were heavy and it felt as if someone were holding my shoulders in place so I could not move.  I thought that I must at least try, so I took one step after another.  It became very dark.  I could not see where I was going.  I felt my way to the altar.  I prayed a little.  I didn’t know what to do so I sat up on the bench.  The people told me to pray, so I knelt down again.  I did this several times.  Eventually, I felt the Lord telling me to pray out loud.  How was I going to do that?  I did not know how to pray!  And the thought kept coming.  People are going to laugh!  I prayed out loud, “Lord, please save me!”  I heard no one laughing!  I just heard God’s people praying for me.

Suddenly, it seemed like the floor opened up and a huge burden fell out of my heart and rolled away.  I felt peaceful.  I heard Jesus say, “You are saved.  You can get up now.”  I looked up and told my Mother that I was saved.  Everyone was so happy.  I remember sitting on the bench singing and feeling so light and happy.  We all shook hands and hugged.  Everything seemed so bright.  I felt so light.  I thought I could just fly home.

I rode home not scared to die anymore.  I remember lying in bed not scared to die in my sleep, and when I woke up in the morning I still felt wonderful.  I am thankful to my m Mother for taking me to church and for my Father who did not stand in the way.  I am grateful for all the testimonies, and prayers that went up for me.

I have been saved 42 years this past May 30, 2011.  Wow!  God has blessed me in many ways.  I thank Him many times over for saving me, giving me a Godly husband and for saving our three children, Stephanie, Chris, and Hannah.  I know God has many more blessing in store for me.

How We Met

Since Steve and I have just celebrated our 30^th Wedding Anniversary on June 20, 2011, it is a time of reflection for me!  My heart smiles at the memories of our meetings in childhood, college, and church.  I do believe that God allows everything to happen for a reason and that God prepares our hearts for His blessings along the way in life. 

The first time I remember meeting Steve was when I was 5 or 6 years old.  You see, our families having friends in common would get together to play cards and visit.  Steve’s sister and I would play with our Barbie Dolls a lot and I just remember Steve playing on a tire swing with his brothers. 

Our second meeting was at Southwest Baptist University in the summer of 1975. I had enrolled in two freshman level classes:  Sociology and Biology.  Feeling insecure, I arrived at the field house early to search for the location of my Sociology Class.  Out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of a guy, whom I did not recognize, following me and catching up to me.  He was average height with brown waves in his hair.  He did not waste anytime striking up a conversation with me.  I learned his name, Steve, from Half Way, Missouri and then I remembered him.  However, Steve did not remember me from our childhood. 

Later that summer, a good friend of mine, Blye, and I were researching an assigned topic for our Sociology Class.  We were sitting at a study table at the Southwest Baptist University Library taking notes and planning out our assignment.  Blye jumped up and said, “My contact is bothering my eye.  I’m headed to the restroom.  I will be right back!”  I continued taking notes, when, suddenly, Steve just popped out of who knows where and began a conversation!  He startled me!  He stood at my study table and began asking questions and carrying on a conversation.  When Blye returned Steve left us to studying. 

I saw Steve a few more times that summer, but I only wanted to be friends. I had a goal to complete college without any distractions.  I had tunnel vision to complete school, get a job, and be self supporting.  And I did complete four years of college in three years. I earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in biology and chemistry and taught secondary school for a couple of years.    

Then the next significant meeting was when I was 22 years old.  I saw Steve at revival services at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Bolivar, MO.  Steve was standing at the door and we said, “Hi,” and talked for a bit and I began to realize that Steve was actually a very nice guy and we did have a lot in common such church, goals, cats, and much more!!  Later during that revival he asked me out and the rest is history!

You see, I believe it was all in God’s plan and timing for us to meet.  A wise friend of mine from Versailles, MO gave me some wonderful advice once.  Opal said, “You should pray about who you are going to spend your life with.”  That suggestion made a lot of since to me.  I began to do just that.  Pray.  And God answered my prayer.  God is so good! Steve has blessed my life; he has been a great husband to me and father to our children.  And we have a lot of fun together.  These past 30 years have been a blessed journey and we have a bright future ahead of us.  And I thank God for giving me such a great guy!  As the Bible says in James 1:17, “Every good gift and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”